Diagnostics

In most cases, leg pain is a harmless muscle ache caused by overloading. In this case an exact diagnosis is unnecessary and the pain disappears after a short time. However, if the pain lasts longer, is very severe or one or more joints are swollen, a doctor should examine the leg.

The leg should also be examined by a physician if it is overheated or reddened as an indication of an inflammatory cause, or if there is pain as a result of an accident. As a rule, the doctor starts with a detailed medical history. For this, the exact localization of the pain, the character of the pain and the duration of the existing pain are important.

In addition, concomitant diseases such as diabetes mellitus, an underlying neurological disease or a previous accident are of interest for the diagnosis. Other known pre-existing conditions such as arthrosis, a known herniated disc, varicose veins or circulatory disorders should be mentioned. The leg is then examined and various movements are tested.

These give an indication of a bony or muscular cause of the complaints. Inflammations or arthrosis of the joint also cause pain in the affected leg and can be examined in this way. Furthermore, the leg is examined for the presence of varicose veins or shortened muscles.

The pulses on the legs are located in the groin, the hollow of the knee, on the outer ankle and on the back of the foot and should be palpable everywhere. If the pulse is no longer palpable from a point downwards, this can be an indication of a circulatory disorder and should possibly be examined more closely with an ultrasound. If an osseous or muscular cause is suspected, an additional X-ray can be taken.

If inflammatory causes are conceivable, the inflammation parameters are determined in the laboratory. Neurological examinations such as nerve conduction velocity or the EMG serve to diagnose a neurological disease. If a joint disease is suspected, it can be investigated by means of arthroscopy. A joint effusion is visualized by ultrasound (sonography) and can then be punctured. If a herniated disc is suspected, magnetic resonance imaging (MRT) is the method of choice.